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Platform Chats
Platform Chats
What Does NRC Have in Store for 2024?
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We end 2023 with a look ahead to 2024. This episode, Walt chats with Ashley Wieland, President of The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) about their upcoming Conference in January 2024 and what’s in store for NRC in the future. The duo discusses the safety resources NRC provides its members and the industry as well as its role in connecting industry professionals with policy makers. It’s important to be at the table so you don’t end up on the menu.
The NRC is a U.S. trade association that advances the mutual interests of railway contractors and suppliers who construct, keep, and supply railroads and rail-transit lines, creating a positive business climate. To learn more about the NRC, its membership, and upcoming events, please visit their website at www.nrcma.org.
You know, we're well known for our conference, but I really want people to know that we have a lot of other programs and member resources as well. We're not just a conference. You know, safety is our members' number one priority, and we have a number of safety resources for our members and the industry. Uh our member, excuse me, our safety committee spearheads a lot of these programs and resources like toolbox talks, FRA Part 243 minimum training standard templates, and a full library of soon-to-be 30 uh NRC safety videos.
SPEAKER_00You may know the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association, or AREMA, as the quote, keepers of the manuals. You may know them as the quote, people behind the largest annual railroad conference in North America. Heck, you may not know about AREMA at all. This podcast is designed, no pun intended, to change your view of who AREMA is and how AREMA has changed the trajectory of many railway careers over its 100-plus year history. Welcome to Platform Chats with your host Walt Blesser, where he takes a moment to discuss the impacts AREMA has had on the very people who are proud to be called members. Are you ready to roll with AREMA?
SPEAKER_01ARE Corporation is a proud supporter of AREMA and platform chats. If you are looking to take your Railway Structure's career to the next level, or simply start it down the right track, please visit us at ARECorp.com. Please see our brand new job postings on our careers page or on our LinkedIn page.
SPEAKER_02I'm your host, Walt Blesser, and this is the last one for what has been an extremely tumultuous year for yours truly. Uh, hoping very much to get back to a regular cadence on this show in 2024. I know it's always our goal to put out between 10 and 12 episodes a year, and this year I think we only got out six to eight, something like that. And so I apologize. If you are a regular listener, you know it's been a wild year for me, and I apologize again for the intrusions of my personal life pushing hard into my podcast host life, which believe it or not is not my only job. I actually do other things, and so I'm trying to mix it all and balance it all. But hey, enough excuses. The excuse train has come and it's officially left the station. So we're gonna put that behind us. We're gonna close the year out with a bang. We're gonna start 2024. I've got a great set of uh content coming your way. We're gonna be talking about the upcoming symposium uh that's in February. We're gonna talk a little bit about the big structures, all structures functional group meeting that's gonna be tagging onto the symposium in February, which will be a first of its kind. I'm very excited about that, given that I guess, well, I guess I'm running it at this point, so I've got to be excited about it. Uh, and then we've got a bunch of other ideas too. We're gonna have guests next year, including um human resources from CSX, has agreed to join us and talk about what they look for in railroad employees. Uh, we've even got a recruiter that said they would join us and talk about that too, because I'm starting to feel I'm starting to feel a shift in the market. Uh, I feel like the markets are at least today, they're they're happy. Um feels like inflation might be cooling off. It just feels kind of like maybe 24 will be a a transitional year, and maybe just all the stuff that in 23 will be behind us. So long intro to not only get you excited about next year, but also to get you excited about what we're talking about today. And that is the NRC. Uh, that's an acronym that I will not define until my guest defines it for me. But I have the president of the NRC, and this is part of our series of talking to basically other associations that are Aremos friends, uh, if you will. And so we go to their uh their conference and they come to our conference, and we have a lot of members that cross-pollinate. And so it's just very advantageous for us to be friends with the American Shortline Association, with Chuck, as you guys heard earlier this year. Uh, and we also talked to the R with RTA, with Nate. Uh, that was a fun podcast. And today uh we're gonna have Ashley Wheland, who is the president of the NRC, uh joining us today. And she's gonna talk to us a little bit not only about how in the world did she become the president of this organization, but also how and what role they play in the industry. So welcome to the show, Ashley. And just kick it off and tell us a little bit about yourself. You can how you started off in your career. Um, hey, even some personal facts are fun. Sounds like you got some kids. Whatever you want to talk about.
SPEAKER_03Thanks, Walt, and thank you to Arima for having me on this podcast. Um, I'm Ashley Wheland, president of the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, better known as the NRC. Uh, we are the trade association representing contractors and suppliers in the rail construction and maintenance space. Uh, our we've got about 300 member companies that range from contractors, suppliers, engineering firms, uh, attorneys, recruiting firms. Um, you know, and they range in size from small family-owned businesses who do work regionally to some of the largest companies in this industry that do this kind of work. Um, the work includes track construction and maintenance, bridge construction and repair, rail yard work, signal and communications installation, uh, you know, things of that nature on the maintenance away side. Um were you gonna say something?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, you know what? I you did you just mentioned something there that um the the difference between you guys and Arima, just right out of the gates, you represent the companies, correct? As uh uh you know what I mean, versus like Arima, we're mostly a professional association. I think sometimes that gets uh foggy for some people.
SPEAKER_03Right. There's there's a lot of uh rail groups in in the Washington, DC area and in the United States. I mean, um, all of us play a slightly different role. Some of us do have membership overlap, but yes, AREMA is more of a professional organization for the railroads, um, even though I know some of my members are members of AREMA as well and participate on committees, but our members are companies, so anyone who is an employee of an NRC member company is in turn a member of the NRC. So, yes, we represent the member companies.
SPEAKER_02Okay, that is similar to the Shortline Association, and and actually our well, I don't I don't think RTA is like that, but that's very similar to what Chuck was doing as well. And so, and you guys, how how big is the NRC?
SPEAKER_03Uh, we've got about 300 member companies, and as far as staff goes, it's myself, uh, my colleague Mike McGonagall, who's our VP of Operations and Government Affairs, our VP of Finance, Nicole Womack, and we just hired a operations and meeting manager, Marion Barreto.
SPEAKER_02Perfect. And you guys are responsible for what I consider one of the more fun conferences to kick off the year. Is that right? You guys usually pick a pretty nice warm location in January.
SPEAKER_03That's right. The NRC conference alternates between South Florida and Southern California every January. Uh this next month, yep, it's gonna be a month from now. We're gonna be in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Fairmont Princess. Uh, it'll be January 3rd through the 6th. And um, you know, registration's really strong. We're sold out in the exhibit hall. We're gonna have over 130 exhibiting member companies, which we're really excited about. Uh, we partner our trade show with REMSA. Um, and you know, that's been successful. So I want to give a shout-out to REMSA and thank them for their partnership on uh on the exhibit hall. Um, you know, where I think one of the highlights of the conference is not only the location, but just the networking opportunities and the camaraderie, and it kind of kicks off the the year and gets everyone excited for you know what various railroad customers have in their upcoming CapEx and what the transit agencies and passenger rail are doing as well. So uh I feel like it it really helps set the tone for the year, and and we're really proud of that.
SPEAKER_02I agree completely. It's uh something I have looked forward to in the past. It's been a minute since I've been to your conference. I apologize uh for that. It's usually right after New Year's, uh, and it's that first week. I think the last one I went to was maybe in Palm Desert.
SPEAKER_03So that can that would have been 2014. That that was that's 10 years exposed on the pod on the podcast. Hold out.
SPEAKER_02Man, I do apologize. Yeah, I know Arima actually had some of the NRC members. Um, you guys were nice enough to loan us some space for a committee meeting. So we we were able to meet as a committee uh at NRC. So it was like a double whimmy, it was really kind of a nice thing to do.
SPEAKER_03Well, we would welcome that for your committee to come back and meet, or any Arima committee to come meet at the NRC conference.
SPEAKER_02Oh, that's a great plug because uh we're always looking, I'm telling you, we're our our committees are always looking for space. And uh as we grow, as you know, uh space is not cheap.
SPEAKER_03So we do know that. There's conference uh conference planners there. Um, you know, and we're also gonna have the incoming AREMA president Ray with Amtrak's gonna be giving an ARIMA update that Friday morning at the conference. And so um I think some members will be eager to hear that and what he has planned for his presidency uh over AREMA for that year.
SPEAKER_02Oh, very cool. So that would be so the third, just so I I want to stay on this because it's fresh in people's minds. If they're thinking about uh registering, is there still time?
SPEAKER_03Yes, there's still time to register. Uh our golf event is sold out and our trap shooting event is sold out. The hotel also sold out, but we are maintaining a wait list in case there are cancellations in our room block. So certainly reach out to um NRC staff to get on that wait list. But there's a ton of hotels in the area that folks could stay at as overflow. But yes, registration is still open. Um, you know, we'll kick off on the third at 4:30 p.m. with a welcome reception in the exhibit hall, and then general session will run Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and we'll conclude with a finale reception Saturday evening. So plan to check out Sunday morning.
SPEAKER_02See, this is an interesting uh the timing of this podcast is great too, because we're we're coming off of a of a really big railway interchange, which I know you attended. Um, and just the format of that and the format of the AREMA conference, right, is uh it's currently under discussion about potential changes. And you know, we've been doing the same thing for a long time. Uh and we pack a lot of technical sessions into our Tuesdays. I mean, it's like 8 a.m. to five of just back to back to back to back technical sessions. And um, there's been some comments of hey, maybe is there a way to stretch this out as or we move things around? You guys, if I remember right, do you do you do sessions in the morning, and then aren't aren't the afternoons oftentimes left a little bit more open for networking? Maybe you could talk a little bit about that because I I feel like that's a totally more progressive way. Uh progressive mighty not be the right word. It's different than than what a Rima does.
SPEAKER_03That's true, Walt. Um, you know, we kick off our general session pretty early in the morning. I've heard some members say it's a little too early, but I say, you guys are in the railroad industry. You all are used to these early mornings, so I don't want to hear it just because you're in Scottsdale. Um, but yeah, technically traditionally we have had the sessions be fairly early in the morning and run until about noon, and then that gives you some free time in the afternoons to catch up with customers or connect with vendors, um, catch up on emails. We all know we go to these conferences that are three, four days long and come back to an infinite uh number of messages in your inbox. Um, but I would also say that, you know, that Thursday of the conference, we do have some breakout sessions. Um if your afternoon's looking a little light, you can come by the breakout sessions. We'll have um our friends from the FRA giving an update on CFR Part 243 minimum training standards. Uh, and then some folks from the League of Railway Women will be presenting a couple topics as well. And our popular speed networking event with a couple of our railroad guests will also be taking place. So um there's certainly some stuff to do in the afternoon on Thursday. And then in the afternoons on Friday, uh we're sold out on two golf courses at the TPC Scottsdale at the Champion and Stadium courses, which is going to be great. And for those who aren't golfing, they're going to the trap shooting, which will also be some good time to network and catch up with some friends.
SPEAKER_02Man, that actually sounds quite fun. Uh, not a golfer. Uh, I do know my way around to 12 gauge, and I would love to uh participate in something like that. I had no idea, and I think that's just a neat way of uh yeah, getting into small groups and and chatting with with potential customers and uh and different industry folks, and uh while still maintaining a presence at the conference. So that's cool. I is the trap shooting new?
SPEAKER_03It yes, we have not done a trap shooting event before that will be new.
SPEAKER_02Cool, yeah, because I know historically there's been a lot of golf events, uh, I think Palm Desert for sure, and then uh especially in Florida as well, right?
SPEAKER_03Right, yeah. The golf is a mainstay that we do every year. In Florida, we've done um fishing and everglades, and then on the west coast, we've done uh whale watching, hiking excursions last time we were in the Phoenix area. Uh so it just it just kind of depends on on the interest and you know what what's available and the location we we go to.
SPEAKER_02Cool. Uh I did a horrible job of glazing right over uh an introduction of who you are, even though I know prior to recording we discussed a what I would call a loose outline. I do apologize, I am relatively uh shoot from the hip kind of guy. The uh question I did want to ask here before we get too far down the road, we did cover the conference, but uh I want to talk a little bit about you. And um you're from California originally. I know you're sitting in the DC area now. Um, how in the world did you get to this seat?
SPEAKER_03All right. Uh so yeah, I grew up in Southern California, uh Riverside area, for those who are familiar with SoCal. Uh went to school at the University of California Riverside, studied political science. Uh during my time there, I did a semester in Washington, D.C. I did an internship on Capitol Hill for my uh home member of Congress uh in his DC office, um, which was great and really kind of gave me a taste for DC, and I really liked it. Um, you know, when I came back to California, I had the itch to get back to DC. Uh, you know, when I graduated school, it wasn't a great time for the job market. Uh, it was 09, so you know, a lot was going on, not a lot of people were hiring. And uh I was working as a paralegal right out of college for a production company in Santa Monica and just decided I didn't like my job. And uh so I just put in my notice and I bought a one-way ticket to DC. Uh, I had a friend that was there, and I was um able to split an apartment with them. And uh, you know, prior to moving, I had been putting the feelers out for jobs on the hill and jobs at think tanks and trade associations, policy focused, legislative, legislatively focused jobs. I was really into kind of that scene. Um and, you know, when I would interview, uh they'd say, Hey, you're in California, how serious are you about coming out to DC? And so that's when I kind of knew that like I had to take that leap. Um, so I got to DC, lined up a bunch of in-person interviews, and like within two weeks, I landed a job at the Design Build Institute of America, DBIA, in their legislative affairs department. Um I I really got a taste for kind of transportation industry, uh, construction infrastructure while I was there. And after about a year there, I felt like I had enough experience under my belt to springboard to another association. And that's when I landed at the NRC in 2012.
SPEAKER_02Oh, wow. So you've been at the NRC for a minute.
SPEAKER_03Yes, um, I would say a little longer than a minute. Uh, I did take some time. I did leave the NRC for a couple of years, and I worked at the American Traffic Safety Services Association as their director of state government relations and um really enjoyed being there as well. Again, transportation infrastructure focused, um, really kind of grew to be my passion. And uh after a couple years there, uh, I had an opportunity to come back to the NRC and um was really excited about it just because I really like the rail industry in this way that, you know, I mentioned transportation infrastructure being a passion that I grew to love. It's not, you know, people say, How'd you get into the transportation industry? And I say, you know, I didn't choose the transportation industry, it chose me. And um, you know, I find the railroad issues very dynamic and interesting. Um, and so I I really was excited to come back to the NRC and I had missed a lot of the members and a lot of the friends that I had made during my first stint there, so it was great to get back. And that was in 2019.
SPEAKER_02And that was in 2019. Okay, cool. Just in time to uh work on large conferences that are about to get canceled.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, you know, I guess if we wanted to approach that in 2020, we had our our conference in January when the world was normal. And it was so funny when, well, maybe not funny, but you know, when the the world started shutting down, I thought, oh, thank goodness we had a conference, and my conference isn't two weeks from now, you know, is the two weeks to slow the spread. And um, but you know, that with the direction of the NRC board, we really navigated that well. We um went kind of online like a lot of the other uh groups did, and brought a lot of high-level um, you know, webinars, some some good content for folks to stay connected, even though we couldn't physically be together.
SPEAKER_02So, yeah, did you did you transition to 100% uh I guess you must have, obviously, to webinars and seminars. When did you first come back in person? What year was that?
SPEAKER_03January of 22, which was also very interesting. Uh, we had Omicron surging, uh, so had a lot of last-minute cancellations uh from a number of folks. But um, we held a very safe meeting, um, a very fruitful meeting. I had a lot of members approach me and say, Thank you so much for doing this. Um, you know, we've really been itching to get back, we're ready, we can do it safely, knowing what we know now about um the virus that was going around at the time. Um, so we were really happy to do it.
SPEAKER_02And so then 23, uh, where were you last year? Or this year, I guess.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, it was this year. We were at the Boca Ratone.
SPEAKER_02Okay.
SPEAKER_03And was it full force? Yes. Yes. Okay. Record number attendees, um, you know, overall great program, and I think has really set us up nicely to uh go into 2024.
SPEAKER_02Okay. Yeah. So 20, and it sounds like based on what you said uh just a few minutes ago, that 2024 is looking like it's already sold out. Most of your events are sold out, so you must be very excited about the traction you're getting. Where where are you guys going uh in 25, not to look past Scottsdale, but are you I assume you're going back to the East Coast?
SPEAKER_03That's correct. We'll be at Marco Island at the JW there.
SPEAKER_02Oh, so you guys really do bounce around. Um, yes, west to east, but you don't just go to the same location over and over and over, it sounds like.
SPEAKER_03Uh not always, although I will say with the rate at which we are growing, the number of venues that can hold us is the list is getting a lot smaller, unless we want to go to a convention center kind of setup, which I've heard from attendees and um folks that you know we don't really want to go to the big convention center. We prefer to be a little more intimate in one of these bigger hotels where we own the space and own all the rooms. And um, it just makes it easier for organic interaction and networking when you're all staying at the same hotel and running into people that yeah, there's uh definitely pros and cons to that.
SPEAKER_02I I could not agree more. I mean, when as a remain kept growing, I I've told my wife before that when you attend a REMA, as soon as you walk in the lobby, it's on. I mean, every every elevator ride, every hallway walk, every time you're in the fitness center, it doesn't matter, you're probably gonna run into somebody. So you're you just kind of feel like you're on uh non-stop unless you're asleep uh and in those intimate settings.
SPEAKER_03Um one last thing I uh or one thing I wanted to bring up. We we've talked a lot about the conference, which is great because it is definitely what is coming up on deck here, and we're really excited about it. But um, you know, we're well known for our conference, but I really want people to know that we have a lot of other programs and member resources as well. We're not just a conference. Um, you know, safety is our members' number one priority, and we have a number of safety. Resources for our members and the industry. Our safety committee spearheads a lot of these programs and resources like toolbox talks, FRA Part 243 Minimum Training Standard Templates, and a full library of soon to be 30 NRC safety videos.
unknownWow.
SPEAKER_02That's a lot. So you beat me to it. I mean, I was I was heading that way. I did want to hammer out your conference details, but um the the the role NRC, so AREMA, right? This is the AREMA podcast, but um you know obviously our focus is maintaining and updating the manual and and technical specifications for all aspects of the maintenance of way of the railway system. Your role with I just heard safety. Are there other key roles or if there's a listener right now that's like, hey, that sounds really interesting, how do I get involved? You know, that I feel like that's another thing maybe you could speak to.
SPEAKER_03Sure. I would say for NRC members, the best way to get involved is to get involved in a committee, right? Like Arima has a number of committees, um, and that's really the best way to stay involved and have your voice heard. Um, you know, we have a membership committee, we have a scholarship committee, uh, I mentioned our safety committee. Um we have an auction committee every spring. The NRC hosts an equipment auction. Um, and the proceeds from that auction help to benefit some of the safety programs that I just mentioned earlier, including the production of our safety videos. And so this year we put out a video focused on mental wellness and it addresses mental health and fitness of duty for contractor employees, meaning not only are they physically fit to perform the work, but it also takes into consideration an employee's mental fitness and their overall health and how managers can intervene if they suspect that an employee might be struggling with depression or substance abuse. And this video is really a departure from some of the other ones. Some of the other videos are like safety around track equipment or safety on a tie gang, how to build a turnout, you know, other special track work like that. Um so, you know, our safety committee worked really hard on this video, and um we're really proud of it. And we think it's very timely for a lot of what's going on right now in the workforce.
SPEAKER_02Um, we hope it'll be a good resource for members and well, yeah, I had that that's that's fascinating. It is uh uh absolutely it's absolutely timely, and uh I had no idea that it was produced. So how does us how does someone get to watch or have access to said video?
SPEAKER_03If you log into your members-only portal on the NRC website, all the videos are listed there, the library, or you could reach out to any of us on NRC staff and we will send you a flash drive with the videos.
SPEAKER_02Oh, cool. Okay. Now, uh I do notice a theme uh with the a lot of the trade organization and trade association leadership tends to come from those that are politically active, including yourself, uh, or those that had an interest in politics at a young age uh and moved to DC and have worked, have experience on the Hill. Um the NRC, I know some there was at one point an organization. There was a firm, a lobbying firm that housed some of the trade organizations in DC. Is this separate? Is it on its own, or are you are you part of a different organization?
SPEAKER_03So the NRC is managed by an association management firm called TGA AMS LLC. Um, my colleague Matt Ginsberg heads up that firm and he also heads up our lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. This year the NRC hosted its first ever rail contractor-focused fly-in, um, which was really exciting for us. There, you know, this year has been really interesting for the rail industry on Capitol Hill in light of East Palestine. We've really been under a microscope, and um, not only on Capitol Hill, but just nationally, right? On the national stage. Um, and it wasn't always positive attention, right? So, um, you know, in the wake of that, I think that caused Railroad Down the Hill to be canceled for the year. And it really gave us an opportunity for our policy and legislative committee to host their own rail contractor-focused fly-in, which we were really proud of.
SPEAKER_02Cool. And Railroad Day on the Hill. Uh, who who is behind that? Is it is it all the organizations come together? Because I've actually attended.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, it's the lion share. Uh, you know, you've got AAR, the Short Line Association, um, RTA, REMSA, NRC. Um, we really do try to make it an entire industry effort. Folks from labor as well register and participate traditionally. Um, not sure what the future of Railroad Day looks like. I think that's a next year question. Um, but you know, I think having our voice heard on Capitol Hill is really important. They say if you're not at the table, you're on the menu. So um, you know, it's important that these folks who are going to be looking at legislation that are gonna impact our industry, that they hear our side of the story and understand our industry.
SPEAKER_02Well, another reason I enjoy doing this podcast is uh I've not heard that if uh you're not at the table, you're on the menu. So thank you for that. I did not, but that's an interesting way of looking at it. And so as a member of NRC, and obviously you have legislative chops yourself, so that's a probably a big part of what NRC does, correct? Is to lobby on behalf of member organizations, or am I in left field here?
SPEAKER_03No, no, that's spot on. I mean, we really want to be a resource for legislators and folks at the FRA. We work very closely with them and have good relationships with members of Congress on committees of jurisdiction that pertain to our industry. Um, you know, it's important that we stay in touch with them and maintain these relationships. And with the turnover in Congress, you know, it's a never-ending job, a revolving door of getting to know people. Um, you know, when committee membership gets mixed up and changes, um, you know, we got to make sure we're we're meeting with the right folks and that they're hearing our side of our industry and what we do for the economy. Um, it's really important.
SPEAKER_02Very cool. Okay. And so the this uh the event that you guys planned, when did that take place?
SPEAKER_03It was last April.
SPEAKER_02Fly in last April. Because the day on the hill is usually what, April, May?
SPEAKER_03Uh Springtime's a really popular time for groups to come in and meet.
SPEAKER_02Okay, cool. So are you gonna do it again? Or is that to be determined?
SPEAKER_03Uh it's I think it's highly likely. I think there's a lot of interest from the policy and legislative committee and our board to to make this an annual event.
SPEAKER_02Okay, excellent. Cool. Well, it sounds like you're seeing uh you seem like you have a positive outlook uh on the future. You seem like you have a positive outlook on on the industry. And uh is that true? I'm just this is me listening to what you're saying and hearing you talk about the numbers and how NRC's grown and the conference is outgrowing its hotels. And um it's just it's such a great story that you're telling. And what do you think the next few years has in store for our industry?
SPEAKER_03You know, I'd say the rail contracting industry is coming off some very strong years. Um, you know, really good years, even in light of a global pandemic and an impending recession. Um, you know, I think the outlook is really positive. Um, class one capital expenditures have remained consistently strong over the past few years. Um, you know, there's been some announcements from some of the class ones um about layoffs, and so I think that is still to be seen, how that'll impact our industry, whether, you know, it'll it'll put more pressure on contractors or you know, whether there'll be more opportunities.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, it does seem that like through COVID, uh it just seemed like the railroads this is my opinion. Uh this is not the be this is no longer the opinion of a Rima, but my it just seemed to me like living it the railroads have always been really good at saying or taking advantage of bad times, so to speak. From a capital expenditure contractor perspective. It seems like if car counts start to go down on a certain main line to them, it's like, okay, well, we can get more work windows. Um during COVID, if if there's an opportunity that that that there's more anytime it seems like there's less traffic, which is not a great thing for the railroads, it also seems like there's enough backlog of things that need to get done that they take advantage of that up and and use it as an opportunity to get out and fix stuff. Because it seems like some amazing projects uh have been presented and or completed uh in the last two to three years. So and it sounds like people agree.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, that that's spot on. And you know, the rail grant programs that received record funding from the IIJA are starting to trickle down to rail contractors and suppliers, um, and they'll continue to do that over the next couple of years. Sometimes, you know, government takes a while to get that stuff out. Um, but you know, we we had record Amtrak funding, Chrissy grants, railroad crossing elimination grants, federal state partnership grants, and FTA New Starts, which all continue to provide a really steady stream of opportunities for railroad contractors.
SPEAKER_02I was just gonna say, Chrissy. Uh I I don't uh okay, so that affects my company has quite a bit of work uh with shortline railroads, and the funding that we saw this fall, this September, seemed tremendous. I don't know, I don't want to put you on a spot here, but I assume some of those funding is record-level funding, yes?
SPEAKER_03Right. And you know, with Chrissy in particular that benefits the short lines, a lot of short lines run pretty lean and mean, and so they don't have an in-house workforce, and so they contract a lot of that stuff out to my members.
SPEAKER_02That's kind of yeah, what I figured. So you guys are forecasting a pretty strong 24-25, is what I'm hearing here, based on just what you are seeing. And a lot of the funding that was released this fall, I know specifically for us, the Chrissy's. I remember I want to say we put together proposals for Chrissy's in the spring of last year, if not fall of last year, and they just got announced in September. Don't hold me to that, but that sounds right. Meaning that uh shovels go in dirt in 24, right? So that's the contractor side, which is you guys.
SPEAKER_03That's right.
SPEAKER_02Cool. Well, that's awesome. It seems like it's a great uh I don't know, it seems like it's a great industry to be a part of. Uh, you know, depending on which cocktail party you go to, some people are more doom and gloom about the economy than than uh others, but it just seems like our specific niche uh economy we're speaking about with the rail industry is is a good place to be. Um do you have little children?
SPEAKER_03I do. I have a a five-year-old who just started kindergarten this fall, and I have a two-year-old who keeps us on our toes.
SPEAKER_02Uh yes, that definitely would keep you on your toes. I'm I'm right there with you. I'm four and two. So where I'm going with that is um, do you have enough confidence in this industry that you think, hey, 10 so years down the road that you would tell your kids to pursue a potential profession in some aspect of the rail industry? I mean, are you that excited about it?
SPEAKER_03Oh, absolutely. I mean, there's very rewarding careers in the rail industry. It's a like I mentioned earlier, it's it's an exciting industry, it's dynamic, you know, the the there's certainly issues that come up, but they're they're always interesting on the problem-solving side. And um, you know, you can have a very rewarding career in the rail industry. Um, you know, I we talk about workforce development a lot, and especially how since the pandemic, it's been really hard to get skilled labor, um, you know, folks to come to work. And I think that as an industry, we're starting to do a better job at tooting our own horn and talking about how blessed we are to be in this industry and how exciting it is and how it's a rewarding career. It's the industry that moves industry. Um, you know, people think their Amazon packages show up via drone, but it's like, no, it had to probably start on a railroad before it got to your front door. Uh, so it's essential, it's vital, it's recession proof, it's pandemic proof, dare I say. Um, so it's yes, absolutely.
SPEAKER_02I don't know how I'm gonna follow that up. So uh other than I wish at some point during that last uh little shtick I had a uh railroad horn sound I could have made when I was toot our own horn, I would have absolutely hit that button.
SPEAKER_03Blow the whistle, yeah. I think I think it's my my iPhone uh ring.
SPEAKER_02There you go. Yep, absolutely. Well, that's honestly, that's a great place to stop. So as I do with most of my guests, I will give you if there's anything else you wanted to get out there, feel free. And if there's not, that's fine too.
SPEAKER_03Uh yeah, I think we covered it. I mean, we we could I could have a conversation for, you know, I could talk about this forever, but you know, I know we've got places to be and things to do and a conference to plan. So uh we'll get back to it. But I'm really excited to see everyone in January. And, you know, I'm really proud to be a part of this industry, to to represent this organization. And I'm really proud of my members, and it's truly a blessing and an honor to to represent them here in DC. So look forward to seeing everyone in January.
SPEAKER_02Perfect. Thank you so much for being on the show. We really appreciate it, and I know many of our members will see you down uh in Arizona uh January 3rd to the 6th. And honestly, I'm gonna see what I can do to maybe pop in and say hello.
SPEAKER_03Excellent. Have a safe day, everyone.
SPEAKER_00Thank you for rolling with Arima on today's episode of Platform Chats. For further information about Arima, please visit arema.org or contact us at info at arema.org.
